July 17 1863

Camp Near Bunker Hill Va

 

Dear Mama.

                        After more than a months hard march & through two pitched battles, our army have arrived back in Va. the battle of Gettysburg was one of the hardest contested battles of the war, we were in it two three days. the first day we drove the enemy more than two miles, killing a great many of them. at night they fortified themselves on the mountains where it was impossible to dislodge them. I do not know how many prisoners we took but some 5 or 6 thousand. we fell back some mile or two and took our position but they would / would not come out & fight. I have seen a Baltimore paper & they acknowledge 30 thousand killed wounded & missing. they did not follow us on our retreat as they were so badly hurt. our loss must to have been 20 thousand in all. My Company had five wounded, all will do well, but Henry Patterson who was wounded in the shoulder & was left in the hands of the enemy too unwell to be moved. the rest of my men were slight. I have only 8 men for duty & I want to try & come home after the rest. I have just heard of the fall of Vicksburg & it is sad to think of it I do believe it would have been better that Richmond had fallen, no telling now when / this war will stop. Have they called out the militia yet. I do not think we will remain here long, as I expect the enemy will try on to Richmond again. they are at Harpers Ferry I understand & they may give us battle at this place, but it is rather too far in the country for them to adventure. I never care about going in Maryland or Pennsy again, the people were very anxious for peace in those states, but I do not see how it can be made until Old Abe^s time is out, it is a beautiful country & there seems as if no war was going on from their fine crops, & things so clean how is the home guard getting on. all of them had better come out here to defend their homes but for they can do / nothing remaining where they are. We lived very well whilst we were beyond the Potomack. when you write direct your letter to Winchester. My love to all. your son

Sam

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